We enjoyed our tea at 0530 and we're off in the chill of the morning to see if we could see a striped hyena return from her night scavenging. No luck so instead we searched for the wild dogs from last night - again they eluded us. Consequently we focused on trying to photograph flying tawny eagles - we found one in a tree who flew off as the jeep door opened - not too bad but more practice is required.
We also saw eland, a steppe eagle and a lovely family of golden jackals.
After siesta we went out at 1630 and we hopefully we might find the wild dogs - particularly as one of the guides on his way back from the airport had spotted them.
Luckily we found them relaxing and Paul decided we should reposition the jeep, we should get out on the opposite side then try to get close to them on our tummies - involving slug like manoeuvres. The adults ignored us totally only the youngsters came to look - which enabled some great pictures from a different angle. Afterwards I realised I wasn't wearing the right clothes and in particular I needed elbow pads. (My elbows only properly recovered when we got home - a strange holiday injury which is not suffered by many!)
We watched the whole waking up and greeting ritual again - which galvanises the pack into hunting mode at watched as they set off. They left at 1845 and within 15 minutes they had
dispatched a year old wildebeest - plenty of food for a family. This however didn't however stop one female heading off and chasing a small baby which she caught and also dispatched.
We got some reasonable pictures but the fading light made it challenging - at least I learnt eventually - that high shutter speed via a high ISO is key to sharp pictures - I also learnt that panning shots are possible with a small aperture and low ISO - great fun practicing, with varying degrees of success!)